Mazzaglia found guilty of first-degree murder in death of 19-year-old woman

By LYNNE TUOHY

Associated Press

DOVER – A jury on Friday convicted a 31-year-old man of killing and raping a University of New Hampshire college student after a trial filled with lurid details of sexual domination, experimentation and violence.

The jury in Strafford Superior Court found Seth Mazzaglia guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, 19, of Westborough, Mass., in October 2012. ...
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DOVER – A jury on Friday convicted a 31-year-old man of killing and raping a University of New Hampshire college student after a trial filled with lurid details of sexual domination, experimentation and violence.

The jury in Strafford Superior Court found Seth Mazzaglia guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, 19, of Westborough, Mass., in October 2012.

The key witness, Kathryn McDonough, 20, was Mazzaglia’s girlfriend when she lured Marriott to their apartment. She testified that Mazzaglia wanted another woman to join their sexual escapades, which included bondage and discipline.

McDonough first told investigators that Marriott died during rough sex between the two women that involved restraints. After getting immunity from prosecution, McDonough changed her story and said Mazzaglia strangled Marriott, then raped her. After Marriott was dead, Mazzaglia and McDonough dumped her body in a river, she said. It has never been found.

Mazzaglia was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder that stated he strangled Marriott “before, after or while” sexually assaulting her. He also was convicted of conspiracy to falsify evidence and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses.

Mazzaglia showed no emotion as the verdict was read. He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

He will be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Marriott’s father, Bob, said the family is grateful for the verdict but that even a life sentence will never soothe their grief. Marriott gave a police officer a bear hug after the verdicts were read.

“We will always miss her, and we wonder what could have been,” Marriott said, his voice quavering. “In fact, the trial has been torturous for us. The truth of what happened to Lizzi is horrendous. And every time it’s been told, it has reinforced the despair that we feel.”

Marriott said the verdict will keep a dangerous man off the streets and protect other women.

He also had harsh words for Mazzaglia’s lawyers for what he called intentionally misstating his daughter’s action the night she died.

“Blaming a victim who is unable to defend herself is a typical ploy used by defense teams,” he said. “If you are dead, you cannot correct a mischaracterization.”

Mazzaglia’s lawyers didn’t comment after the verdict.

Jurors began deliberating Thursday after hearing 19 days of testimony. McDonough was on the stand for 10 of those days.

McDonough initially told investigators that she killed Marriott during consensual sex, but later said she made up that story because she loved Mazzaglia, thought they still had a future together and wanted to protect him.

Defense lawyers, though, painted her as an opportunistic liar who killed Marriott, then changed her story when she found out she could cut a deal and get less time in prison if she pinned the crime on her ex-boyfriend.

In court, McDonough testified that Mazzaglia was the sexually dominant partner in their relationship and became angry when she left for nearly two weeks for theater camp without recruiting a sex partner for him. As what she called punishment, Mazzaglia told her to lure a woman – Marriott – to the apartment on Oct. 9, 2012.

After a game of strip poker, which prosecutors say Marriott joined willingly, Mazzaglia suggested she kiss McDonough. Marriott said no, saying she was in a committed relationship. Mazzaglia then asked if she would watch as he and McDonough had sex. She again said no.

Prosecutors said the domineering Mazzaglia was unaccustomed to being rejected, so as the two women watched a movie, he sneaked up behind Marriott and choked her with a rope. McDonough testified that she left the room briefly and when she returned, she found Mazzaglia raping Marriott’s limp body.

Mazzaglia’s lawyers said McDonough, who pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and is spending 1½ to 3 years in prison, was interested in experimenting with women and initiated the sexual activity that night.

McDonough’s deal was conditioned on her testifying truthfully, and juror Maria Clifford said the panel thought she did.

“The main thoughts were that she was a pathological liar most of her life, and up until she took that witness stand, her life had been based upon lie after lie after lie,” said Clifford, 52.

“I think Mr. Mazzaglia had control over her and she was afraid of him. We just thought, ‘She’s on the witness stand now, and she doesn’t have anything left to lose,’ and she came to the realization that ‘I need to do the right thing.’ ”